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Only
24 hours …
I
am, completely officially now, in holiday mode. I just snapped
into it the moment I left work this afternoon. I was smiling and
relaxed on the bus home. I gave Debbie a huge hug and kiss when
I walked into the door. Holidays are cool!
Matthew
wrote a letter to Father Christmas the other day. He wants a fire
engine. As you do! So, today, Father Christmas delivered the said
fire engine present early to Deb's work. I guess he's got lots
to do on the big day and is planning ahead. The fire engine was
sitting in the boot of our car. We went out to the supermarket
when I got home to get some dinner — chicken, salad, fresh
bread, and, most importantly, a chilled bottle of Chardonnay.
There was a real fire engine at the supermarket, the firemen must
have been getting dinner too, so I'm sure that reminded him of
fire engines. When we got home, after we'd stopped and he'd undone
his seat-belt, but before we'd managed to get him out of the car,
he squirmed around, stood up, and happened to peer over the back
seat into the boot.
He
knew instantly. Utterly and instantly. “My fire engine!,
my fire engine!” We tried. We got him out the car. We didn't
mention a fire engine. “There's nothing in the back Matthew
… Let's go up and eat our dinner … What did you do today?”
He's not stupid. “My fire engine, want MY fire engine!”
All the way up the path. Continuing once we got into the house.
The refrain of a toddler who won't be denied. “My fire engine,
want MY fire engine!”
Debbie
looked at me. I looked away — not a choice I wanted to make!
She realised there was no way it would be forgotten, and finally
told him she was going back down to the car to get some things
Father Christmas bought early for him. While she went down to
the car, Matthew waited at the front door. After a couple of minutes
he turned to me and said, “Mummy all right?” in a concerned
voice. He was worried that something may have happened to Mummy
in the walk down to the car and back that may have affected her
ability to bring back the fire engine. He needed her in one piece!
Finally,
finally, she came back with the fire engine. It was such a delight
to see such naked joy on his face. He's spent the evening putting
out fires around the house. The fire engine makes a noise with
its siren and its horn. God does it make a noise. He stopped for
a 15 minute break to eat some water melon, but aside from that
it was a constant battle against the raging forces of nature!
I've
still got to buy presents for Deb. at least this year have some
money so I can buy her some presents. I'll go out and do that
tomorrow. I know exactly some CDs and books that I'll she'll
like …
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